Novel method for reduction of virus load in blood plasma by sonication.

BACKGROUND: Aim of the present study is the evaluation of ultrasound as a physical method for virus inactivation in human plasma products prior to transfusion. Our study is focused on achieving a high level of virus inactivation simultaneously leaving blood products unaltered, measured by the level of degradation of coagulation factors, especially in third world countries where virus contamination of blood products poses a major problem. Virus inactivation plays an important role, especially in the light of newly discovered or unknown viruses, which cannot be safely excluded via prior testing. METHODS: Taking into account the necessary protection of the relevant coagulation activity for plasma, the basis for a sterile virus inactivation under shielding gas insufflation was developed for future practical use. Influence of frequency and power density in the range of soft and hard cavitation on the inactivation of transfusion-relevant model viruses for Hepatitis-(BVDV = bovine diarrhea virus), for Herpes-(SFV = Semliki Forest virus, PRV = pseudorabies virus) and Parvovirus B19 (PPV = porcine parvovirus) were examined. Coagulation activity was examined via standard time parameters to minimize reduction of functionality of coagulation proteins. A fragmentation of coagulation proteins via ultrasound was ruled out via gel electrophoresis. The resulting virus titer was examined using end point titration. RESULTS: Through CO2 shielding gas insufflation-to avoid radical emergence effects-the coagulation activity was less affected and the time window for virus inactivation substantially widened. In case of the non-lipidated model virus (AdV-luc = luciferase expressing adenoviral vector), the complete destruction of the virus capsid through hard cavitation was proven via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This can be traced back to microjets and shockwaves occurring in hard cavitation. The degree of inactivation seems to depend on size and compactness of the type of viruses. Using our pre-tested and subsequently chosen process parameters with the exception of the small PPV, all model viruses were successfully inactivated and reduced by up to log 3 factor. For a broad clinical usage, protection of the coagulation activities may require further optimization. CONCLUSIONS: Building upon the information gained, an optimum inactivation can be reached via raising of power density up to 1200 W and simultaneous lowering of frequency down to 27 kHz. In addition, the combination of the two physical methods UV treatment and ultrasound may yield optimum results without the need of substance removal after the procedure.

[The Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Plastic Surgery - A Systematic Review of Screening Methods]. / Die körperdysmorphe Störung in der Plastischen Chirurgie ­ Eine systematische Übersicht der Screening-Methoden.

BACKGROUND: The body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is considered to be a sub-form of somatoform disorders. BDD can express itself in a delirious experience, an excessive evaluation and employment of the external appearance, in particular the face. Preliminary results suggest that individuals with BDD do not benefit from plastic surgery, so that aesthetic surgery often results in aggravation of their symptoms. Thus, the identification of signs for a BDD is crucial, whether a patient should be operated plastically-aesthetically. This overview explains the often difficult diagnostics of the BDD by summarizing the current literature on its screening. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic overview METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in the German and English-language literature in order to identify all screening instruments for the BDD. The specific development RESULTS: Six different screening instruments were identified for the BDD. Only two of these were evaluated in a cosmetic setting: the "Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire Dermatology Version" (BDDQ-DV) and the "Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire" (DCQ). The influence on the subjective results after a plastic-aesthetic procedure was measured only for the DCQ. CONCLUSION: The limited availability of validated screening instruments for BDD in plastic surgery is markedly in contrast to the supposedly high prevalence of the disease of 2.4 %. Among the currently used screening tools, the BDDQ-DV and the DCQ appear to be most suitable. Further research efforts are needed to establish better screening methods for the BDD in the plastic surgical patient population and to examine the effects of BDD on treatment results.

[Regulation of bone metabolism by the Wnt signaling pathway]. / Regulation des Knochenstoffwechsels durch den Wnt-Signalweg.

The development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms depends on a complex cellular interaction between proliferation, migration, differentiation, adhesion, and cell death. Wnt signaling pathways coordinate these different cellular responses. Wnt signaling plays a role as a regulatory pathway in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The Wnt signaling pathway is an attractive therapeutic target with the potential to directly modulate stem cells responsible for the regeneration of skeletal tissue. Recent studies indicate that Wnt ligands are capable of promoting bone growth, suggesting that Wnt factors could be used to stimulate bone healing in osteogenic disorders.

[The Body Dysmorphic Disorder in Plastic Surgery - A Systematic Review of Screening Methods]. / Die körperdysmorphe Störung in der Plastischen Chirurgie ­ Eine systematische Übersicht der Screening Methoden.

BACKGROUND: The body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is considered to be a sub-form of somatoform disorders. BDD can express itself in a delirious experience, an excessive evaluation and employment of the external appearance, in particular the face. Preliminary results suggest that individuals with BDD do not benefit from plastic surgery, so that aesthetic surgery often results in aggravation of their symptoms. Thus, the identification of signs for a BDD is crucial, whether a patient should be operated plastically-aesthetically. This overview explains the often difficult diagnostics of the BDD by summarizing the current literature on its screening. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic overview METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in the German and English-language literature in order to identify all screening instruments for the BDD. The specific development and validation processes are assessed whether the screening instruments have a positive predictive value for the BDD. RESULTS: Six different screening instruments were identified for the BDD. Only two of these were evaluated in a cosmetic setting: the "Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire Dermatology Version" (BDDQ-DV) and the "Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire" (DCQ). The influence on the subjective results after a plastic-aesthetic procedure was measured only for the DCQ. CONCLUSION: The limited availability of validated screening instruments for BDD in plastic surgery is markedly in contrast to the supposedly high prevalence of the disease of 2.4 %. Among the currently used screening tools, the BDDQ-DV and the DCQ appear to be most suitable. Further research efforts are needed to establish better screening methods for the BDD in the plastic surgical patient population and to examine the effects of BDD on treatment results.

The Role of Current Techniques and Concepts in Peripheral Nerve Repair.

Patients with peripheral nerve injuries, especially severe injury, often face poor nerve regeneration and incomplete functional recovery, even after surgical nerve repair. This review summarizes treatment options of peripheral nerve injuries with current techniques and concepts and reviews developments in research and clinical application of these therapies.

Impact of surgical innovation on tissue repair in the surgical patient.

BACKGROUND: Throughout history, surgeons have been prolific innovators, which is hardly surprising as most surgeons innovate daily, tailoring their intervention to the intrinsic uniqueness of each operation, each patient and each disease. Innovation can be defined as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, unarticulated needs or existing market needs. In the past two decades, surgical innovation has significantly improved patient outcomes, complication rates and length of hospital stay. There is one key area that has great potential to change the face of surgical practice and which is still in its infancy: the realm of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. METHODS: A literature review was performed using PubMed; peer-reviewed publications were screened for relevance in order to identify key surgical innovations influencing regenerative medicine, with a focus on osseous, cutaneous and soft tissue reconstruction. RESULTS: This review describes recent advances in regenerative medicine, documenting key innovations in osseous, cutaneous and soft tissue regeneration that have brought regenerative medicine to the forefront of the surgical imagination. CONCLUSION: Surgical innovation in the emerging field of regenerative medicine has the ability to make a major impact on surgery on a daily basis.